Tobacco-box clamp



(No Model.) 2 Sheets-Sheet 1.

W. P. WATT.

TOBACCO BOX CLAMP.

No. 468,272. Patented Feb. 2, 1892.

Wizwmga: fizremfor I iym'zzmmzema i 2- M 2 Sheets-Sheet 2.

(No Model.)

W P WATT TOBAOGO BOX GLAMP.

Patented Feb. 2

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

lVILLIAM 1. \VATT, OF VINSTON, NORTH CAROLINA.

ToeAcco Box CLAMP.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 468,272, dated February2, 1892.

Application filed August 20, 1891. Serial No. 403,224. (No model)" Toall whom it may concern.-

Ze itknown that I, \VILLIAM P. VATT, a citizen of the United States,residing at Winston, in the county of Forsythe and State of NorthCarolina, have invented new and useful Improvements in Tobacco-BoxClamps, of which the following is a specification.

In boxing or packing tobacco it is usual to employ a box-clamp composedof two square clamp-heads formed with angular or V-shaped recesses intheir adjacent sides to create a space for the square box into which thetobacco is to be pressed in such manner that the sides of the box areheld by the clampheads and prevented from spreading when the tobaccois-subjected to the action of the tobacco-press for pressing the tobaccointo the box. In prior constructions of ,this character the clamp-headsare not well adapted to accommodate boxes of varying size, in that ifseparated to receive a box of greater capacity than the size for whichthe clamp-heads were designed the ends of the box-sides are unsupportedand will spread laterally during the pressing operation. This objectionrenders it necessary to provide different clampheads for boxes ofdifferent size or capacity, and this is not only expensive, but involvesconsiderable trouble and labor.

The objects of my invention are to improve tobacco-box clamps, toprovide means for supporting and guiding the clamp-heads, and to providenovel means for rendering the clampheads susceptible of adjustment toreceive boxes of varying size or capacity while preserving thecontinuity of the walls of the box chamber or space, whereby the sidesof boxes varying in dimensions will be continuously supported andpressed throughout their length, and a box-clamp is produced which canbe practically used for pressing or packing tobacco into boxes whichvary considerably in size and capacity.

To accomplish these objects my invention involves the features ofconstruction and the combination or arrangement of devices hereinafterdescribed and claimed, reference being made to the accompanyingdrawings, in which Figure 1. is a perspective view of my improvedtobacco-box clamp, and Fig. 2 is adetail perspective view of the twoclamp-heads.

In order to enable those skilled in the art to make and use myinvention, I will now describe the same in detail, referring to thedrawings, wherein- The numerals 1 indicate two clamp-heads composed ofsquared blocks having their adj a cent sides formed with angular orV-shaped recesses 2, so that when the two clamp-heads are relativelyarranged, as shown, a square box chamber or space is provided to receivethe box into which the tobacco is to be pressed or packed.

The ends of the clamp-heads are each provided with longitudinal groovesengaging the horizontal side bars 3 of a surrounding frame in which theclamp-heads are adapted to move to and from each other. The extremi'ties of the side bars 3 are rigidly connected by cross-heads 4, througheach of which passes a screw-shaft 5, loosely connected to the clamp-heads and provided at their outer ends with suitable hand-wheels orcranks 7, so that by rotating the screws the clamp-heads are movedtoward or from each other, and in such movement are supported and guidedby the side bars of the surrounding frame. The screw-shafts may beloosely connected with the clamp-heads by providing their innerextremities with collars held in engagement with the clamp-heads bydisks 6, which are screwed in position on the clamp-heads, so that thescrew-shafts 5 can rotate independent of the clamp-heads.

The ends of the clamp-heads are each formed with a series of tongues 8and grooves 9, and the tongues of one clamp -head enter the grooves ofthe opposite clamp-head in such manner that the two clamp-heads can beseparated from each other to a considerable extent, while the tongues Spreserve the con tinuity of the internal surfaces formed by the angularrecesses 53. The outer edges of the tongues constitute continuations ofthe end 9 surfaces of the clamp-heads, while the inner surfaces of suchtongues constitute rectilinear continuations of the surfaces of theangular recesses, and therefore the sides of boxes of varying dimensionswill be supported and pressed throughout their length, and therebyprevented from spreading at the end portions when the tobacco introducedinto the box is subjected to the action of the tobacco-press.

The side bars of the surrounding frame are provided withlaterally-projecting lugs 10 to form seats for receiving uprights orstandards 12, rising from the bed-plate 13 of a tobaccopress, asindicated by dotted lines in Fig. 1. The uprights or standards byengaging seats in the side bars serve to accurately center thesurrounding frame with relation to the platen or pressure-plate of thetobacco-press.

For the purpose of indicating the proper position of the clam p-headsrelatively to the center of the platen or pressure-plate I provide therear clamp-head with a scale 1% to operate in conjunction with an index15, fixed to one of the side bars of the surrounding frame. The clampisintended to be set by turning the rear screw-shaft until the propergraduation of the scale coincides with the index, so that the box canalways be placed directly under the centerline of pressure. Thefront,clamp-head is adjusted byits operatingscrew until the box chamberor space is of a size sufficient to receive the desired tobacco-box,after which the front clamp-head is tightened up for the pur pose ofclamping the tobacco-box in position. The box is then supplied withtobacco, and pressure isapplied in the usual manner to press or pack thetobacco into the box.

The uprights or standards by engaging the seats formed by the lugs onthe surrounding frame effectually prevent the latter from horizontalmovement, and since the clampheads are connected with the surroundingframe by means of the screw-shafts it will be evident that theclamp-heads cannot accidentally move outof proper position.

The tightening and loosening of the clampheads are effected by operatingthe screw of the front clamp-head, the screw of the rear clamp-headbeing for the purpose of regulating the rear clamp-head, so as to placethe center of the tobacco-box in line with the standards or uprights 12in such manner that the center of the tobacco-box will always be incoincidence with the center line of the press-platen or pressure-plate.

By constructing the angularly recessed clamp-heads with interlockingtongues or grooves I am enabled to move the clampheads to a considerableextent in a direction away from each other for the purpose of receivinga tobacco-box of large size; but this adjustment of the clamp-heads doesnot leave the sides of the box unsupported at the ends, because thetongue-and-groove connections preserve the continuity of thebox-sustaining walls of the chamber or space produced by the angularrecesses. In this respect my invention differs materially andsubstantially from all prior tobacco-box clamps, and I am enabled by theemployment of a single clamp to clamp boxes which vary largely in size.The construction described is also important and useful, in that itenables boxes to be put into a perfectly square form if their sides havebecome warped.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim is 1. A tobacco-boxclamp consisting of two angularly-recessed clamp-heads formed withinterlocking tongues and grooves to preserve the continuity of thebox-sustaining walls of the box chamber or space produced by the angularrecesses, a suitable frame comprising parallel side bars between whichone of the clamp-heads is guided, and a screw passing through a part ofthe frame and engaging the movable clamp-head for adjusting it towardand from the other clamp-head, substantially as described.

2. The combination, in a tobacco-box clamp, of two angularly-recessedclamp-heads having interlocking tongues and grooves at their endportions, a surrounding frame in which the clamp-heads are guided, andmeans for adjusting one clamp-head toward and from the other,substantially as described.

A tobacco box clamp consisting of a frame having means for holding it ina stationary position on the bed-plate of a press, and two angularly-recessed clamp-heads movable in and guided by the stationaryframe and formed with interlocking tongues and grooves, and the tongueshaving their inner edges coincident with the rectilinear surfaces of theangular recesses for preserving the continuity of the box-sustainingwalls of the box chamber or space produced by the angular recesses,substantially as described.

l. The combination of a surrounding frame having lugs to provide seatsfor receiving uprights or standards on the bed-plate of the press, apair of angularlyrecessed clampheads engaging the side bars of thesurrou nding frame and formed with interlocking tongues and grooves topreserve the continuity of the box-sustaining walls of the box chamberor space produced by the angular recesses, and screws engaging the endsof the surrounding frame and connected with the clamp-heads,substantially as described.

- 5. A tobacco-box clamp consisting of a surroundi ngframe,two angularly-recessed clampheads formed with interlocking tongues and groovesand parallel sides guided by the frame, and means for independentlymoving the heads, substantially as described.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed my seal inpresence of two subscribing witnesses.

\VILLIAM P. \VATT.

IIO

